Description
These Lemon Sugar Cookies are bright, zesty, and perfectly sweet with a buttery texture. Rolled in sugar and baked to golden perfection, they make a delightful treat for any occasion with refreshing lemon flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 large egg
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
For Rolling
- ¼ cup sugar
Instructions
- Mix butter, sugar, and lemon zest: Using a mixer, beat the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and freshly grated lemon zest together for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps to incorporate air and infuse the lemon flavor.
- Add lemon juice and egg: Mix in the fresh lemon juice and the large egg thoroughly until fully combined, providing moisture and binding for the dough.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture, stirring by hand until just combined to avoid overmixing and toughening the dough.
- Chill the dough: Place the dough in the refrigerator and chill for 30-60 minutes. This firms up the dough, making it easier to handle and helping the cookies keep their shape during baking.
- Prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the chilled dough into balls, then roll each ball in sugar to create a sweet, crisp coating.
- Bake the cookies: Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on a lined baking sheet, spacing them evenly. Bake for 11-13 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
- Cool the cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring a crisp exterior and tender interior.
Notes
- For more intense lemon flavor, use freshly grated lemon zest and fresh lemon juice.
- Do not overmix the flour to keep the cookies tender.
- Refrigerating the dough helps prevent spreading and makes the cookies thicker.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- These cookies freeze well; freeze dough balls or baked cookies.
